The Studio

Studio Esem is a multi-disciplinary storytelling and design studio based in Sydney, Australia. We like to think of ourselves as a creative agency for citizens and change-makers.

Originally established as ESEM Projects in 2012 by Dr. Sarah Barns and Michael Killalea, we’ve relaunched in 2024 as Studio ESEM. Same people, but renewed focus.

As Studio ESEM we’re championing the values of creative citizenship and storytelling as vehicles for transformative change. We’re championing new ways of imagining and sustaining our place in the world, drawing connections between art, place, story and technology.

This shift reflects some of the big changes happening around us. The escalation of AI, digital disruption, biodiversity loss and climate change are major drivers. We believe, more than ever, in the power of place, of creativity and the language of storytelling to inspire care and connection in a fragile world.

Our story so far

As ESEM Projects we spent over ten years forging links between placemaking, digital interpretation and community storytelling. We combined Sarah’s interest in public history and digital futures with Michael’s creative direction and design skills to produce a series of collaborative installation projects that invites communities to explore their archives through experiential formats. Through this work we learned to hone our research and story-based engagement methods, and experienced first hand the value of listening and creative collaboration as agents of change.

Over the past decade our partners and clients have spanned communities, artists, institutions, museums and precincts, from across the public and private sectors.

We’ve developed multi-disciplinary teams, combining digital & technology design, media arts, placemaking and community engagement. We know what we offer is uniquely valuable in combining practical technical solutions alongside innovative storytelling and engagement methods. We are now trusted long-term delivery partners for a range of research, education, cultural and precinct-based organisations looking to engage stakeholders and communities in innovative and transformative ways. And we know the work of bringing stories and connections to life in transformational places is more important than ever.

Interested in partnering with us? We’d love to start a conversation.

Clients

  • Barangaroo Delivery Authority

    CBRE Group

    GML Heritage

    GPT Group

    Hassell

    Lendlease

    Mirvac

    TKD Architects

    Paul Kelly Design

  • Art Centre of Christchurch

    Australian Museum

    Australian National Maritime Museum

    National Gallery of Australia

    State Library of NSW

    Sydney Living Museum

  • Bathurst Regional Council

    City of Sydney

    Clarence Valley Council

    Inner West Council

    Liverpool City Council

    Newcastle City Council

    Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

  • Australian National University

    RMIT University

    University of New South Wales

    Western Sydney University

  • Arts SA

    CSIRO

    Data 61

    Enterprise Connect

    Government Architect NSW

    Transport for NSW

Awards

The Team

DR. SARAH BARNS CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

MICHAEL KILLALEA CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

LEIF WILSON TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

GIGI FONG STRATEGIC DESIGNER

VICTORIA JOHNSTONE SENIOR CREATIVE PRODUCER

JAMES SCHULZ CREATIVE PRODUCER

Michael is a multi-media artist and designer whose career spans over two decades, working across a range of mediums spanning video art, painting, print and magazine design, illustration, art production, digital and experiential design.

MICHAEL@ESEMPROJECTS.COM

Sarah is a public artist, writer, researcher and consultant whose work today is committed to elevating the role of creative practices in sustaining hopeful futures.

SARAH@ESEMPROJECTS.COM

Gigi is an emerging Strategic Designer with multidisciplinary training across spatial, experiential & digital design. Gigi is devoted to designing for impact and dedicates her career to focusing on the intersection between design practices and social innovation.

GIGI@ESEMPROJECTS.COM

Leif leads on-site production and technical direction for all outdoor installations and programs. Leif and his team have successfully delivered over 40 public programs for ESEM. 

LEIF@ESEMPROJECTS.COM

James has over a decade of experience as a Creative Producer, leading a multitude of creative projects from television commercials and digital content to visual effects, animation, and design. His main focus is to foster creativity and bring unique and impactful visions to life across many mediums. 

JAMES@ESEMPROJECTS.COM

Our Collaborators

Creative Strategy & Design: JACQUI TRIGGS

Technical Direction and Installation Services: PETE HIRD

Motion Design: JULIAN BURGESS, ANNA FRASER, ANDY NOONAN

Production: OMEE DELING, CLAIRE EDWARDS, SARIE EDWARDS

Photography and Videography: We work with a number of photographers appropriate to specific jobs and budgets.
Past collaborators include TOBIAS ROWLES (Sam I Am Management), ROY WEILAND, DAVID ARNOLD, ALAN RICHARDSON

Illustration: RICHARD BRIGGS, ELIN MATILDA ANDERSSEN

Do you have a passion for curatorial and community-focused programs that elevate shared stories that inspire and connect people to places? Let us know!